Daphnis nerii
| Distribution: | Africa, Asia & Hawaii |
| Size: | 90 – 130mm wingspan |
| Diet: | Oleander leaves (caterpillar), Nectar (adult moth) |
This beautiful moth is usually found in Africa, Asia and some Mediterranean islands like Crete and Sicily. It then migrates to eastern and southern Europe when it starts to get a bit warmer in the summer.
You may also see it referred to as the ‘Army green moth’ due to its lovely green camouflage and proclivity for armed combat.
Oleander hawkmoth caterpillars eat the leaves of the Oleander plant, which is one of the most toxic plants in the world (imagine Katie Hopkins as a plant and you’re halfway there). The caterpillars are immune to these toxins, and absorb them into their bodies so they taste disgusting (imagine Katie Hopkins as a snack etc etc).
Being eaten and spat out is not the most pleasant experience, so the caterpillars have another ace up their sleeves*. They have large fake eye spots near their heads and, if threatened, will arch their bodies to make these eyes appear startlingly large, perhaps belonging to a bigger, more dangerous, animal. I wear massive glasses for the same reason.
*figuratively – as far as we know they can’t, or at least don’t, play poker.
Take a closer look…
